Translation Troubles: Preaching Dynamics

Preaching a sermon that will be translated can be a daunting task especially if you don’t know what to expect. Here are some preaching dynamics that you need to be aware of to adequately prepare for a translated sermon.

(1) Effective speaking time is cut in half.

Although it seems like common sense, it’s not always the case. It will take as much time (and perhaps even more) to translate everything you say on stage. If the allotted time for the sermon is only 30 minutes, then that means you only have about 15 minutes of effective speaking time. Prepare your sermon accordingly. Also note that your overtime rate doubles. So if you go over by 5 minutes, that’s 10 minutes with translation. It’ll be helpful to time your sermon during your practice runs to avoid going overtime.

(2) Sentence by sentence translation is the standard procedure.

It’s pretty standard procedure to have every sentence translated right after you deliver it. Saying complete sentences allows you to convey complete ideas and helps reduce audience confusion. There are, however, exceptions to the standard procedure. The first exception is lengthy sentences. When you state a long sentence, you run the risk of confusing the translator or having them forget important parts of the statement. If your sentence is too long, consider shortening it. If not, deliver the beginning half of the sentence first and allow the translator to render it before proceeding. The second exception is a long series of words or phrases. For example, “Jesus is Lord, Savior, King, Master, Messiah, and Redeemer”. Again, you run the risk of confusing the translator. In listing items, pause briefly after each word or phrase to allow the translator to momentarily translate it.

(3) Movement on stage is restricted.

If you’re the type that likes to move around the stage a lot, you may have a difficult time doing so with another person there. In the handful of experiences that I’ve had, I haven’t been able to move around the stage at all. This is because moving around while the translator is speaking can be very distracting. The audience’s attention starts to shift to you instead of the translator who’s talking.

As we end this series here, let me note that there are plenty of things that I have yet to discover about translated sermons. I only have a handful of experiences to draw from. However, I will no doubt share more insights on the issue when they come.

Join the discussion: Are there any tips that you have to help with translated sermons?

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Series: Translation Troubles

Translation Troubles: Working with the Translator

As I mentioned in the previous article, it takes two to deliver a translated sermon well. Both the preacher and the translator will be working as a team to make it happen. Here are some tips to help you establish a good working relationship with your translator.

(1) Send your manuscript.

I’m not a huge fan of writing manuscripts but this is one instance when it can be beneficial. Sending your manuscript in advance will allow the translator to do some preparation work before the actual date. Anything you can do to make the translation as smooth as possible will ultimately benefit the audience. If you’re already comfortable with writing manuscripts, this shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re not adept at it, this may pose a challenge. Alternatively, you could opt to send an audio recording of one of your practice runs.

(2) Meet with the translator.

Try to find some time to meet with your translator before you deliver the sermon. Your best shot will probably occur before the service starts. If it’s the first time you’re meeting the translator, get to know each other. Establish a positive relationship before you get on stage. Meeting with the translator is especially important if you didn’t send a manuscript in advance. Take the time to run through some terms or statements that may be difficult to translate.

(3) Propose a strategy.

Discuss briefly how you’d like to work together on stage. Discussion items should include:

(a) When to translate (sentence by sentence is the standard procedure)
(b) Exceptions to the standard procedure such as lengthy sentences or a long series of words
(c) The use of pauses to indicate that you’d like the first half of the sentence to be translated before you proceed
(d) Letting the translator know that it’s OK to ask you to repeat a statement if they didn’t understand it

If your translator has some experience, ask them for suggestions on how to make the translation as smooth as ever.

(4) Evaluate after the service.

When the service ends, spend some time with the translator evaluating how things went. Figure out what went well and what could be improved on. Evaluation will help you do better the next time you experience this type of setting. Evaluation will also help the translator improve their level of competence. Since both of you will no doubt encounter this kind of preaching scenario again in the future, a fair and concrete evaluation will be of great benefit in refining both your skills.

(5) Pray together.

Lastly, don’t forget to pray with your translator. Remember, you’re both working as team under the power of the Holy Spirit. Let God handle any mishaps that may occur.

Join the discussion: Is there anything else that will help build a good working relationship between the preacher and the translator?

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Translation Troubles: What You Need to Know

Several weeks ago, our Mandarin-speaking and English-speaking congregations joined together for a church-wide prayer event. It’s always great to see the whole church gather together in worship and prayer. I was asked to share a short devotional that evening. The only catch was this: everything I said would have to be translated into Mandarin. It wasn’t my first time to be translated on stage but it did constitute as one of the rare occasions when it does happen. With the handful of experiences I have, I’d like to do a series on what I’ve learned so far about translated sermons.

As we begin, here are some things that you need to know right off the bat:

(1) It’s not the ideal mode of communication.

A preacher who can speak the language that the congregation is most comfortable with is the ideal preaching scenario. In preaching, we aim to deliver God’s message to people in the clearest way possible. One of the ways that happens is by speaking in a language that the congregation is adept at. And so, if possible, I’d recommend avoiding translated sermons.

Of course, there are occasions when it can’t be avoided (like a joint service between two language groups). In times like those, simply make the most of the situation.

(2) It’s prone to confusion.

Due to the back-and-forth nature of translating a sermon, the message becomes increasingly prone to confusion. There are three people involved in translation—the preacher, the translator, and the audience—and any one of them can be confused at any time.

Firstly, preachers are susceptible to confusion especially if they aren’t familiar with this type of scenario. As a preacher, I’ve had a number of occasions where I lost my train of thought while waiting for the translator to finish. And getting back on the train is not as easy as repeating your last statement. In a translated sermon, repeating phrases tend to look a bit silly since it cannot be done in quick succession.

Secondly, translators have their work cut out for them. They’ll need to listen carefully to what the preacher says, remember the statement in its fullest, and then translate it as best as they can. That is no easy task and it puts a lot of pressure on the translator. Any number of things could go wrong—a misheard word, a statement that’s too long to recall, etc. Also, there are colloquial terms, cultural references, and jargons that may not be easily translated into another language or culture.

Lastly, the audience may experience confusion if the translation isn’t going very well or if they’re having a hard time adjusting to the back-and-forth setup.

(3) It takes two to tango.

A translated sermon is a team effort. Both the preacher and the translator will be working hard to deliver the sermon successfully. If a preacher delivers a poor sermon, there’s not much that a translator can do about it. Sermon preparation falls on the shoulders of the preacher. On the other hand, if a preacher delivers a stellar sermon but the translation is poor, the sermon will probably end up confusing and forgotten. It takes two to deliver a translated sermon well.

In the next article, I’ll show you how to establish a good working relationship with the translator.

Join the discussion: Have you ever had your sermon translated and what was that like?

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Next Article: Translation Troubles: Working with the Translator | Series: Translation Troubles